FoodScience Corporation Places Charitable Program Into Employee Hands
Vermont-based FoodScience Corporation has supported local non-profits, but this year employees will lead the social mission on their own.
The company recently announced that, due to health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, it would not host a Good Neighbor Day this year, an event where their nearly 200 employees would dedicate one day of service to a non-profit organization in the Vermont community. Instead, FoodScience is asking employees to carry on the tradition in an entirely new way. Each person will receive a one-time gift of $250 to bestow to a local charity, business or individual of their choosing.
“The purpose of this gift is to help our employees be good neighbors as the community moves into the next phase of the pandemic,” said CEO Sharon Rossi. “With this $250 gift, we are empowering staff to direct our service efforts where they believe it will have the greatest impact in Vermont.”
Rossi said that employees are encouraged to combine the gift with a voluntary day of service at their chosen non-profit, as long as those efforts follow health and safety guidelines. They may also opt to use the money to support individuals who have faced severe financial hardships due to the pandemic.
Over the years, FoodScience has dedicated “Good Neighbor Day” to several non-profits across the region, including Camp Hochelaga and the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. The company leadership sees the event as more than an opportunity to give to organizations in need – they consider it an important part of their culture as well.
“When we started this, we asked employees if they wanted to volunteer their time instead of putting on a company picnic,” said President Dom Orlandi. “They loved the idea. There is something really special about coming together, rolling up our sleeves, and working hard for a good cause.”
For more information, visit www.foodsciencecorp.com.
